Rescue Me
Shaking her head again at hearing yet another one of her friend's spontaneous ideas, Chi-Chi found herself being roped into another off-the-wall adventure. The group of old college friends - although Chi-Chi and Bulma had known each other since childhood - had met up again and were currently sprawled across the beds of their motel room. It had already been a long day, as they had found themselves lost several times and had decided to complete the remainder of their journey tomorrow.
The group was on their way to a wilderness retreat, partially for fun, but mainly to support their friend Launch. Her therapist had recommended dedicated time with loved ones and engaging with nature. Between the busy and hardworking women, this was the best they could come up with at such short notice.
The current topic of conversation was whether it was a good idea to blow the retreat off and head to the cabin that Lazuli's brother had said that they could stay in. The conversation went back and forth as they weighed up their options, they were already a day late for check-in at the retreat anyway, and the general thought was to make their own fun. Although, they're a little bit wary of the spontaneity of another one of Launch's plans, especially Chi-Chi.
"We can enjoy our freedom, drink to our heart's content. I'm bored with my job and I need to let go a bit!" Laughed Lazuli, she was living up to her alter-ego name of 18, as she holds the infamous shot record.
"See, that's the kinda enthusiasm we need! You gals are always up for a challenge," Launch always knew where to hit them, to motivate them. Relishing the thought of an even bigger adventure, she threw herself back onto the bed with a smile plastered across her face.
The last time that Launch had one of her infamous ideas, it resulted in Bulma breaking her leg. They'd all been away together for a beach day and Launch had met a guy at the bar that was offering parasailing. Excited by the prospect, she had signed all the friends up and then wandered back to the group – who were still sunning themselves - with wrist bands and a business card in hand. With a less than professional landing, Bulma was on the receiving end of the poorly executed descent and this resulted in her broken leg and week-long stay in a hospital abroad. The laughing, memories and Launch practically begging with her life, were the only things that prevented Bulma from taking legal action against the 'company'. Although, a word in the ear of the bar owner where the guy operated from, was enough to ensure it wouldn't happen again.
The next morning, Chi-Chi stood with a scowl across her face, fighting to adjust her bags, having made changes to her clothes for their newly changed adventure. They were all a bit worse for wear this morning, after celebrating their decision to go on 'a quest of discovery'. It had been a lively night that had made its way to a local bar and carried on back at the motel room. However, none were now claiming 'victory' this morning.
With the car now loaded with their reconsidered apparel, one by one they began to enter the vehicle with their subdued attitudes catching the attention of Launch. "C'mon, this is supposed to be fun!" She shouted a little too loud for their hearing right now.
"You drank enough for two people last night, how are you this chirpy this morning?" Chi-Chi croaked out of the window at her.
Standing with her hands on her hips, "I'm just pumped for our adventure, this journey is about all of us and how-" she abruptly paused.
"What? What is it?" Bulma murmured from the driver's seat.
"Fuck, I sound like my therapist!"
With that, they all laughed and regained their vibrance, and the friends set off on their adventure.
After a while, Chi-Chi turned to eye her driving friend, with a cheeky cursory glance to the others in the back seats, "So Ms Briefs." Bulma's eyes widened, it didn't bode well whenever her friend used that line. "How's that collaboration with Saiya Systems going?"
"Apart from a few hiccups at the beginning, it's going well. Why?" Bulma narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Oh it's just that boss - Vegeta isn't it? - he's quite something, right?" Chi-Chi teased.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Bulma's cheeks started to blush but she carried on staring at the road ahead. Behind her, she heard the giggles of Launch and Lazuli.
"You haven't been with anyone great since Yamcha!" Lazuli quipped.
Leaning forward towards the front seats, Launch cheekily whispered, "Aren't you desperate for some good lovin'?" Whilst making crude gestures with her fingers.
With that breaking the tension, they all fell about laughing. That carefree sound carried out the window as they drove through the quiet countryside.
Finally on the road into the Paozu Mountain range. Gazing out their windows, the group began to marvel at the broad spectrum of tree colours that was indicative of the imposing autumn. The rolling fields gave way to rugged terrain, filled with insurmountable boulders and vertical drops. Instead of laughter, the car had now been filled with the sound of their awe.
Pulling their car into the uneven gravel car park, they settled in a spot not too far from the wood-clad base shop. As they exited the car, they all stood astounded and speechless of the mountain ahead of them, Mount Paozu was one of the largest in the country and even in the face of its gargantuan size, none of these tenacious women would ever back down from a challenge.
Making their way up the steps and into the building, they were greeted by a warm faced older man with the faint remnants of a scar. As the group went their separate ways, Lazuli made a beeline for the food and quickly returned with her arms full. Launch ventured to gather equipment and Bulma marched straight over to the clothes.
Chi-Chi on the other hand, perused through each aisle choosing essential items and ticking off her emergency list. As she wandered, she stopped at a lovely rich blue dress with a red sash around the waist. Picking the material up and feeling it through her fingers, Chi-Chi thought that it would be a nice look for her, on the right occasion. That thought was quickly interrupted by a man nudging past her, "Asshole", she muttered after him.
Seeing her walk towards the counter with the item in hand, "Ah of course, mustn't forget a magnet for your collection", Bulma laughed knowingly.
"Well it's not like they have any skulls around here for my other collection", Launch huffed. The older man slow swallowed on hearing her comment.
Seeing his expression, "Don't worry, not humans or anything." Bulma trailed off with an awkward laugh.
"Just everything else!" As Launch hauled the rest of her shopping on the counter top.
Sighing, the older man turned to speak to the now forming group of women, "You need to be cautious on the mountain, the weather is highly changeable and the terrain is unstable."
Still loading their items on the counter, a burly stranger - wearing a thick, dark coat and a trapper hat - asked the elder man behind the counter if he could quickly pay for his handful of items. The man nodded his head in agreement and resumed his talk with the group. "Don't make mountain rescue have to come and get you".
With that, the stranger smiled at the man, took his items and left.
Slapping her Capsule Corp business credit card down on the counter, Bulma proudly stated "Well we are having a team building exercise after all!" As a round of raucous laughter filled the shop.
After getting back to the car with their haul and sorting out their backpacks. The group of friends began to make their way from the car park and up towards the mountain, careful to stick to the well-trodden tourist route until they got closer to the cabin. Being out of peak season, it would be a much quieter experience and they would be able to make their own pace.
The higher that they walked and climbed, the more extraordinary the view became. Stopping to rest on the nearby rocks and not wanting to miss any opportunities, Bulma pulled out her phone. As the well rehearsed group of friends knew what came next, they all assumed their positions for photos. For this grouping, making memories and enjoying themselves together had become part of their identity.
"Argh, great pics in glorious sunshine and I can't even upload them, there's no signal here!" Bulma cried out as she sat down on a smooth boulder.
"It's alright, just do it when we get back to base next week", Lazuli offered.
"How am I supposed to live without my technology for that long!" She was practically whining now.
Sitting down next to her, Launch playfully grabbed Bulma by the shoulders and pulled her over backwards, "I'm sure you'll survive. You might even get that Vegeta off your brain, stop stalking his profiles!" She shouted teasingly, as the pair were now splayed across the rocks.
Laughing on her back, Bulma conceded, "Okay okay, I'll live!"
Lazuli offered her hand and pulled her friend back up to her feet, whilst Chi-Chi pulled out the map of the area. With some discussion between them on their best approach to the cabin, they were all in agreement over their next steps and once again resumed their arduous journey.
"Geez Laz, you're like a machine! How have you got so much stamina?" Bulma let out, the others breathlessly agreeing.
"I told you that you should have joined my spin class, this gradient is a warm up!" She chuckled, only half looking back at her red faced panting friends.
Bulma uttered, "Well at least we're not lost-"
"Shut up, what are you tryin' to jinx it or somethin'!" Launch shouted out.
"Urgh no, that's not what I meant! I was talking about the time we got lost for three days in Break Wasteland. It was the best camping but seriously, we were lucky to get out of there!" She retorted.
"It was a great learning experience though", Chi-Chi chimed in, "I'll never be that unprepared again though", gesturing at her backpack.
"Yeah exactly, anyway that was years ago and we've come a long way since then! Look around you at this view, it's absolutely incredible! My therapist is gonna eat this nature shit up", laughed Launch.
Taking in a deep breath of the crisp fresh air, Chi-Chi knew exactly what Launch meant. They were scared young adults back then and she vowed to never let herself be that vulnerable again.
Pressing on up the mountain on a gruelling walk for this group of novices. The journey was interwoven with lots of laughter, stopping to pose and dance on various rocks with accompanying photos, whilst they talked of their hopes and plans for the future.
They were not sure at what point it had happened, but it had become darker, although it was only early afternoon. Remarking on the change of temperature and collectively putting their waterproofs on. When a gust of wind rushed past them, taking them all by surprise and gripping firmly on to each other.
"Phew, that was a harsh one! How much further are we now?" Sighed Bulma.
"Well it shouldn't be too long before the turn off, then we've got a bit of a scramble, then we'll be there", Chi-Chi asserted.
"I wish I hadn't asked", said Bulma rolling her eyes.
"Well, we'd better get a move on because that cloud looks like it's- Oh for fuck's sake!" Launch cursed at the sudden downpour.
"You had to say it!" Shouted Lazuli over the sound of the rain crashing down.
Trudging over to a giant boulder for protection, they stood huddled together, whilst they discussed their next move.
After a short while, the rain eased off and the sky was mildly lighter. Deciding to push on quickly, the group made great headway. Despite gaining a few extra scraps and grazes because of the slippery rocks, they were all still in relatively high spirits.
Chi-Chi and Lazuli were practically side by side making idle chit-chat, whilst Launch and then Bulma brought up the rear. Using her sunny disposition, Launch tried to be as encouraging as possible to Bulma, but she didn't always receive it with the sincerity that it was given. Although Bulma was a technological genius, she knew she was physically weaker than the rest of them, no matter how many hours she put in at the gym.
Out of nowhere another strong freak gust of wind whistled past them, this time it caused Chi-Chi to stumble and lose her footing. Lazuli grabbed a hold of her unstable friend, taking a step back to better anchor herself. Now holding onto each other and trying to correct themselves, they looked in each other's eyes, laughing. After a brief moment, her eyes widened with realisation and something akin to fear struck Lazuli's face. The once rigid surface was quickly disappearing beneath her footing and without looking away from Chi-Chi she already knew that there was no way to escape this. She attempted to let go, in the hope that her friend may be spared, but this only made Chi-Chi grip her tighter.
Feeling Lazuli's weight shift and drop, this brisk movement yanked Chi-Chi straight to the ground on her front, still holding on strong to her friend.
Launch and Bulma gasped at the situation that had seemingly happened in a split second. Rushing over to them, they barely reached to touch Chi-Chi's walking boots as she was dragged over the side by the sodden shifting grounds and their friend's weight.
Tears were streaming down Bulma's face, she was unable to utter any coherent words, whilst Launch was speechless and barely able to process what had happened. Trembling with shock, the remaining pair slowly edged towards where their friends were last seen.
Cautiously peering over the side of the precipice, a short way down on a solid looking lower ledge, they could see a figure laid on top of rocks. Quickly identifying it as Chi-Chi as she moved and groaned instantly.
Attempting to get up and move off from the newly formed rock pile, Chi-Chi looked around for Lazuli, whilst trying to assess the situation. Immediately, she spotted her blonde hair poking out from behind a boulder, Chi-Chi rushed around to her, absolutely terrified that she'd been crushed. At first sight, she found Lazuli was unconscious, with a small head wound. She kneeled down beside her and let out a small cry. This was enough to rouse Lazuli and with that Chi-Chi stifled a sob at the realisation that her friend was awake.
A shout from above startled both of them, "You have to tell us Chi-Chi, is she dead?" Bulma cried again, as if hearing Launch say the words out loud, made it all a possibility.
From what she could tell, Lazuli didn't seem too badly hurt. Thankfully, she hadn't been crushed by the rocks and had found herself from the waist down in a triangle of rocks. "Can you feel and move everything?" Chi-Chi asked.
Checking herself, Lazuli worked through every limb and the pain didn't seem too bad. "Yeah, I think I'm okay", she offered.
Chi-Chi shouted back up to her friends, "She doesn't seem too bad, but she's only just woken up and has a few injuries. I'm going to try and slide her out, is there any way you can get down here to help?"
"Oh thank fuck for that!" Launch shouted out, whilst Bulma buried her head in her hands and let out the crying breath that she didn't know she'd been holding. Pulling each other up to stand, the pair surveyed the area for the best and safest way to descend. Seeing the ideal position, they began to arrange themselves and Launch lowered Bulma down carefully.
At the same time, whilst comforting and offering reassuring words to her friend, Chi-Chi tried to gently pull her friend out of her entrapment. Hearing Lazuli shout and feeling resistance, she realised that she must be snagged on something. Grabbing her torch to shine into the triangle of rocks surrounding her friend, Chi-Chi soon saw that Lazuli was pinned by her hip. Shit.
Bulma landed less than gracefully, she stood back up dusting herself off and cautiously walked over to where Chi-Chi was knelt beside their friend. "Oh Laz", she muttered, placing her trembling hands over her own mouth after seeing her injured friend for herself.
"I hate to say but we're going to need Mountain Rescue. Before you say it, yeah I know what he said, but look at her, we don't have a choice." Sighing exasperatedly, Chi-Chi pulled her phone from her secure coat pocket and attempted to make the urgent call. Seeing the 'no signal' alert across the screen, instantly caused her face to drop as she screamed out in frustration. Chi-Chi raised her hands to her hair, gripping handfuls while trying to regain her composure for her injured friend.
Bulma, seeing her friend's reaction, panically searched her own phone. With her superior technology, surely she should have some service. "No, no-no this can't be happening!" She shouted as she thrust the phone into the sky, as if the additional height would make a difference. Bulma immediately cast her mind back to earlier in the day when she'd had the same problem, but didn't think too much of it.
Chi-Chi stood, trying not to unravel, concentrating on running through the various scenarios. Both herself and Launch were the strongest and fittest, aside from Lazuli, to be able to get back down the mountain quickly and safely. But the thought of leaving Bulma alone in her own vulnerable state, was clearly worrying Chi-Chi.
Beckoning her supportive friend over, Chi-Chi suggested her plan to Bulma once she was closer.
"It's okay, I can do this. I'll be strong for her." Bulma asserted. With that, she gave her long time friend a firm hug. Whilst causing Chi-Chi to inwardly wince at the sudden embrace, she knew and appreciated the love that came with it.
"I'll make her comfortable", Bulma stated as she returned to kneel down beside Lazuli.
After telling Lazuli the plan, Chi-Chi walked over to Launch who was still sitting by the precipice awaiting news. She scrambled to her feet when saw her friend approaching.
Having explained to Launch about their friend's condition and their plan of action, Chi-Chi watched as she nodded and brushed the sides of her arms. Launch accepted her friend's plan freely, as she had already checked her own phone. "It's getting colder, we need to get a move on then", Launch responded with a shudder.
Giving one last smile to her injured friend, Chi-Chi turned to the rock face as Launch leant over to pull her up, while Bulma boosted her friend up to meet the overhanging hands.
Seeming like they had been walking for ages, back down the route that they came and as fast as possible. There was tension that was growing between the two friends. Each was silently berating themselves for the current situation, yet Chi-Chi held her tongue, knowing this wasn't the time to apportion blame.
But Launch couldn't hold back, "This is all my fault. If I hadn't of have suggested this, we'd be at that stupid retreat and Laz would be fine."
Feeling the dam breaking, "Yeah, that's true. In fact it's always you coming up with these ludicrous ideas and we're idiots for going along with it!" Chi-Chi ended with a breathless shout.
Completely stunned by her friend's revelation and that she wasn't reassuring her as she had expected, Launch lashed out, "You could have said no at any point, but you don't like to get left behind. The only time you've ever done that is when you dropped Lazuli!" She was practically screaming in her face.
"Are you shitting me? You're the reckless one, you constantly put your friends in dangerous situations and then have the fucking audacity to laugh it off. But it's not you who has to live with the consequences." Chi-Chi panted heavily, "Bulma broke her leg because of you and she lost that big contract because she couldn't make the meeting! And for your information, I was fucking traumatised after that trip to Break Wasteland. I had to see my own bloody therapist to get through it! Whereas you, you don't want to get better, do you? You think it's all some big joke, well it's not when other people have to pay the price!" It had all come tumbling out of Chi-Chi's mouth before she could even process what she was saying.
"Oh do you know what, I don't have any fucks left to give Chi-Chi!" And with that, Launch turned and stomped away down the mountain.
All the things she had said were not how she was feeling and certainly not what she wanted to say, but she had actually felt a weight lift from her. She was actually relieved that it was in the open. Chi-Chi stood there in silence on her own. Her mind raced over all that had happened that day. She collapsed to her knees, the adrenaline had long worn off and the creeping panic was now setting in.
Bulma tried her hardest to stay calm for Lazuli, but she was struggling to know what to do for the best. She couldn't protect or move her, she didn't have any amazing gadget that helped this at all, she felt completely useless. "I'm still alive, so that's something I guess," Lazuli offered her.
"I don't know how to help you, Laz."
"You're the smartest person I know, I'm sure you can think of something."
Bulma looked around clueless at first, but then began to put her analytical mind to use. Collecting small rocks, she used them to bolster the larger ones and prevent them from moving any further. She then proceeded to root around in her rucksack for supplies and began to put together a makeshift shelter using a bivvy bag and rope.
She wasn't sure how long she had been kneeling on the ground before coming back to her senses, but it was considerably darker and colder. The wind had picked up again and there was even some sleet being whisked away by it. Fuck. Get it together Chi-Chi, Laz needs you, they all need you. As she went to wipe the tears from her face, she realised they had already dried and her skin was bitingly cold to the touch. She knew she had to get help as soon as possible, it was likely worse further up the mountain where Bulma and Lazuli were.
As she attempted to get up, the sleet became snow and it began flurrying all around her. Unfreezing herself from the position had proved far more difficult than she'd anticipated, but she was up at last. Taking one stride and lifting her other foot to take another, she crunched her foot down at an awkward angle, the definitive sound of a bone breaking was audible and the rush of warmth to the area confirmed it. She winced more from the knowledge rather than from the pain, she knew what this meant. In that moment, Launch suddenly became the only source of rescue to her friends and even herself.
As Launch continually trudged down the mountain side, her anger spurred her on. Constantly whirring inside her head were all the things Chi-Chi had shouted at her. She's obviously been holding onto that for a while. Who does she think she is? I'm the one who ensures that we actually do anything, not just live boring fucking lives until we die! With her fury bubbling over, she let out an almighty "Fuck you!" Directed towards the sky.
And with that, the snow that had previously been dancing on the wind became a full blown blizzard. Fucking great.
With the snow and wind now whipping around them in their makeshift shelter, Bulma tended to Lazuli's cuts and grazes, paying particular attention to the one on the side of her forehead. "You're probably going to need to cover this one with your hair", Bulma suggested whilst cleaning the wound.
"It's fine, I'll add it to the other ones", Lazuli replied nonchalantly.
"Really, does nothing faze you woman?"
"Yes, but there's no point in showing it. That's not going to help anyone."
"Maybe, but how are people supposed to know how you really feel about things? Keeping everything inside isn't good for you, you know." Bulma waggled her finger at her injured friend.
"I know that. I… just... realise that I look like some career obsessed freak, but I do care and I actually do want to settle down someday. I know what I said before." Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes, "But I imagine being with a nice, kind and funny man, hell, maybe even have a child and living a good life! But who am I kidding, maybe I don't deserve that.''
"Oh Laz, of course you do! You deserve every happiness, the same as all of us. I think that sounds amazing, in fact perfect!" She stroked her friend's hair. "I'm hoping for something like that for myself one day, I'm just too into my work and too scared of getting hurt. You're all so much stronger than me in every way." Bulma now found herself crying.
"I-I didn't know you felt like this, Bulma you're a fucking genius. You deal with arrogant assholes literally all the time, especially the ones who can't stand to see a woman doing well, you are the epitome of strength. We've all seen you lock yourself in your lab for weeks on end, whilst we force feed you! Your determination is admirable and work ethic is flawless. Y-you've even had the strength to take care of me at our worst moment." Lazuli openly cried with her last sentence.
Bulma huddled around her friend for the most awkward but most important hug that they'd ever shared.
Absolutely sodden, completely exhausted and raving loudly, Launch burst through the doors of the base shop. "Yes, I know what you said old man. No, I do not give a flying fuck right now. Yes, I need Mountain Rescue. And a towel. Please."
Looking at her in complete dismay, he silently turned around and picked up the radio. "Hey guys, one of that group has made it back, a little worse for wear and requesting help. Over."
"We're approaching the pass and have yet to see any one. Over." The reply came over the radio.
Looking over his shoulder, the shopkeeper questioned, "What happened up there? How many are stranded?"
"What? How did you know- err yes there's one injured, she was trapped when she fell off onto a ledge. She's awake and seems to be doing okay but she's pinned by her hip." The shocked woman explained.
After relaying this information to the Mountain Rescue team, the elder man turned fully to face Launch. "I had a suspicion when the weather started to turn and none of you had returned to base yet. I asked the team to be put on standby, but when that blizzard picked up, I sounded the alert. Time is of the essence out here and no-one should be left out there. They should be with them very shortly, don't worry your friend is in the best hands."
Hearing his words, caused her mind to spin but she couldn't place why. He handed her a towel, Launch stuck out her hand to take it and the room dulled to pick out the high-pitched ringing in her ears. The moment it registered, she let out a gasp and dropped the towel. "Are you alright?" The helpful man asked.
"T-there's a-another one." She stood breathing shakily.
"What? Where? On the mountain, now?" he raised his voice briefly, looking at the blizzard through the window.
Reaching for his radio again, "Hey guys, we've got another out there. I repeat there's one individual on the mountain. Over." He spoke urgently.
"We hear you. We've just reached the patient, they're doing alright, they're fucking singing! Look, it's going to take some time here. You're going to have to contact him yourself." Launch had found this news hilarious, but was soon drawn back to the reality of the situation. The shop attendant took himself to the room behind the counter, whilst she found herself finally shedding her soaked coat.
Walking back into the main store, "Well that's sorted, someone will be with your friend shortly. Don't worry he's the best we have, he's just not likely to be in the best of moods having had his sleep disturbed." A flood of relief washed through her. Launch didn't care what Chi-Chi had said, she only cared that her friend was safe and that they would have the opportunity to make things right between them.
"So just one guy? Is he going to be alright alone?"
"Yeah, he'll be fine, he knows these mountains like the back of his hands. I already gave him a description of where the team and your injured friend were, so he has a good idea of where your other friend may be. Don't worry he'll look after her. Now let's get you sorted." Reassured by this, Launch took the hot drink he was now offering her.
Having scouted every inch of the section he believed the lone rescuee would be, he shook his head. Knowing that the main team were already descending with the patient and her friend, the other one already at base, meant that this woman was his responsibility and his alone on this mountain.
Trudging back through the snow covered path again, he caught sight of the glistening icy footprints in the moonlight, it was the first time that the sky had been clear in hours. Damn I missed them in the dark. The lone rescuer followed them, until they turned off the typical route. Has she got lost down here? He peered down the rocky walkway. Better check it out, just in case. Continuing his search for a while, he saw a familiar glow of light coming from a sheltered area. At least this one had some sense.
Looking into the area, he was met with a sight that he did not expect. There was a woman who had provided her own shelter, created light and warmth, with more than adequate clothing and in fact didn't even look like she needed to be rescued at all. She could just be waiting out the storm. Surely I shouldn't just leave her, she'll want to know about her friends.
Chi-Chi jumped with fright when she noticed the man standing there, just staring at her.
Shit. Well this didn't go as planned. Say something before she screams. He thought to himself.
"Hey, I'm Goku and I'm your rescuer today." He awkwardly smiled, knowing that was not at all what he was going to say.
"Okay...well...erm Goku, my friends are the ones who need rescuing. I can give you all the details but please just get to them first."
"Oh right, I probably should have said first," putting his hand behind his head, "Your friends have already been rescued and they're probably on their way to the hospital by now. It was just you left to find and now I can see that you've practically rescued yourself." He ended with a light-hearted chuckle.
On hearing the news Chi-Chi fell to the ground with a thud. Shit. That did not go as expected. Goku rushed over to help her up. As she opened her eyes, her gaze met his, seeing the flicker of the fire reflected in his soft eyes. "What happened?" She managed to croak out.
"I think you might have been overwhelmed, it looks like you've been through a lot today." He said softly, gazing down at her. It was the first time he had properly looked at her, taking note of all her features. Her face was flushed from the fire and her raven black hair was windswept, but those eyes felt like pools he could lose himself in.
"Hey Romeo, you gonna let me up or stare at me all night?" Her voice snapped Goku out of whatever that was.
Shaking his head free of those thoughts and the weird feeling, he helped her up to sitting. He noticed for the first time that her ankle was strapped and splinted. "What happened here?" As he gestured towards the injured limb.
"Ah I broke it a while back, I had to splint it so I could get to some shelter. The snow was piling up around me."
"Wow, you sure are something else." Realising his odd tone again, he cleared his throat. "I mean you have great survival skills and er...resilience."
"Erm...thank you...I guess I do. Not that it helped my friends."
Chi-Chi went on to explain what had happened and even her argument with Launch. She told him how she felt it was all her fault and about her guilt for coming away with next to no injuries, whilst Lazuli was seriously hurt. Goku listened intently, he'd had a similar experience years ago and he understood how crushing the weight of that guilt could be.
Seeing the calm weather outside her sheltered area, Chi-Chi moved to grab at her things. She began thrusting them all back in her backpack, she was focused on getting down the mountain side as soon as possible and seeing for herself that Lazuli was alright.
"Where are you going?" Goku asked, confused that she'd suddenly become so animated.
"It's clear now and I've got to leave while I have the chance", she gestured to the sky exasperatedly.
"I don't think that's a good idea", he moved to try and block her, but thought better of it. "Look, the weather here often gives a kickback after a storm. It may look calm right now, but I can assure you that it probably won't be in a while. You can not afford to get caught in that, you were lucky enough to find this area! Let alone with that broken ankle of yours."
"Right...you just want to spend more time with me don't you?" As she moved closer to the open air.
A blush crept over Goku's face at the remark, but shaking it off, "Please."
Chi-Chi paused and stood facing the way out. She knew she had to get to her friends, she could see it was clear and it was logical to leave now. Yet something nagged at her inside, it didn't feel right to leave just now. It was him, she trusted him and his advice. "Okay."
Goku moved to help her with her bag and take the pressure off her ankle, when Chi-Chi winced and gripped her side. "You said earlier that you'd fallen with your friend, did anyone check you over?" Goku asked with a concerned look.
"No. Why? Are you offering?" The fuck was that? I've spent too much time with Launch. She thought.
"Uh...I can do, if you're alright with that?" He tentatively answered.
He really is quite sweet. She moved to sit back down on the ground and allowed him to check over her limbs, taking note of the cuts and scrapes she had accumulated and that would need cleaning. Chi-Chi watched as he moved and worked methodically, becoming more engrossed by his movements than her wounds. Wanting to engage in more than silence and stifled moans, she asked, "You've been doing this a long time, huh?"
"You could say that. My brother does this too, but he's always on a different team, we kinda refuse to work together." He gave an awkward chuckle.
"So it's a family thing?"
"My dad was a mountain rescue too, you could say it was in our blood." As he lifted his hands to check her head.
"You said was, is he not around anymore?" Chi-Chi was trying her best to sound comforting.
"Actually, you've met him, he now runs the base shop." Now looking directly at her. Finally taking his helmet off and shaking his hair free. Chi-Chi could see the resemblance.
Casting an eye outside their little sheltered area, Chi-Chi saw that the blizzard had returned. "Thanks", she offered, as she continued to stare at the waves of snow bouncing off the ground. Alone in her thoughts of what could have been, had she left earlier.
Seeing her look of concern, Goku wanted to snap her out of the vicious cycle. "By the way, that dress would look...uh...lovely...on you", he said falteringly.
Looking at him confused, Chi-Chi wracked her brain, but then her eyes widened when his words dawned on her. "You're the-"
"Yeah, I'm the asshole", he chuckled.
Completely breaking down any boundaries between them, they began to talk freely. It amazed Chi-Chi how easy and fluid the conversation was, Goku was a pretty fascinating guy. He showed such strength but yet was so calm and gentle, and surprisingly thoughtful during the short time that they had spent together.
Goku pulled out of his bag, his packets of rations. It was never going to be enough to satisfy his appetite but he didn't want the woman he was growing to like to go without. He offered Chi-Chi a pack.
"Oh that's okay thank you, I have plenty of food", as she grabbed a capsule from her own bag and opened it in front of them.
"How have you got more food than me?" Goku looked gobsmacked.
"Please have some, we're not going to need it now."
Grabbing the closest item to himself to try, "Wow, where did you get this food from? It's delicious!"
"I cooked it myself, my friends are like locusts so I always make more than is needed. Would you like some more?"
"Are you kidding? I can't imagine eating anything else ever again!"
Blushing at his admission, Chi-Chi smiled knowing that her culinary skills were greatly appreciated.
They spent the rest of the short night talking and sharing experiences. The two guarded people had each found someone they could be vulnerable with. They eventually managed to sleep too, albeit briefly.
The light of the new day struck Chi-Chi's face first, prompting an instant yawn. She opened her eyes and was startled by where she was. She had fallen asleep curled up on Goku's lap, whilst he sat upright against the boulder. His arms were draped around her and his head was resting back against the rock with light snores escaping his mouth. Realising her positioning she moved to leap up, but with the movement, she instead let out a pained scream, startling Goku awake.
Quickly realising what was happening, "Yeah that's going to hurt for a while, remember you did take a tumble yesterday." Chi-Chi glared directly at him. So it looks like she's not a morning person then.
"Come on, let's get you sorted and down to your friends". Looking outside to check the conditions, "The snow's already melting and the temperature's coming up, we can leave."
As frustrated by the awkward position she found herself in and recalling the vulnerability she'd shown him last night, she couldn't help but think that might have been the most comforting sleep she's had in a long time, even despite the pain.
Putting his bag and equipment back on, he grabbed Chi-Chi's bag and secured it to his. Having safely dispersed the remnants of the fire and cleared any rubbish, Chi-Chi stood ready to take on the downhill hike. Goku stopped and smiled at her actions for a brief moment, seeing her being conscientious of her environment caused another swell of feeling within him.
"Right, I need you to trust me on this", he asserted. Before she could blast him with her defiance again, the rescuer scooped her up and placed her over his shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing?" She protested, loudly.
"Getting you down the mountain safely and without damaging that ankle any further."
Chi-Chi was about to open her mouth and assert that she was more than capable, but logic quickly took hold and she conceded that he had a point.
"Quest completed!" Announced Launch, as she thrust her fist into the air.
"I'm not sure that qualifies", Chi-Chi immediately barked back.
Both Chi-Chi and her rescuer had made it safely down the mountain, without any further complications. They had continued their discussions and enjoyed gaining different perspectives from one another. Their shared stories and laughter, made for a beautiful sound on an otherwise silent mountain.
After a brief stop at the wood clad base shop to check in with his father, Goku escorted Chi-Chi to the hospital to have her own wounds seen to and be reunited with her friends.
"It's over and we're all still alive, it counts!" Launch said in her more cheerful disposition.
About to challenge her, Chi-Chi remembered the point of their trip, seeing her friends aglow. With that she conceded, "Quest completed", and smiled fondly.
Goku - who had attended the hospital with Chi-Chi to offer his support while she found out the status of her injured friend - noted her reaction and smiled at Chi-Chi, letting her know that he understood. As their discussions on the mountain had covered her strained relationship and some of their shenanigans as a group.
"Where were you trying to go anyways? That wasn't the usual route." Goku asked genuinely curious about this group of friends.
The injured friend - who was incredibly lucky to only come away with a bruised kidney, a whole lot of cuts and scrapes, and a concussion - answered him. "We were going to my brother's cabin, he said we could stay there but I've not visited yet. And I doubt I even want to now!"
"Oh really? If it's the cabin I'm thinking of, there's only one off the pass we found you on, then that was damaged by a snowstorm a while ago. We couldn't trace the owner, so we just taped it off with warning signs placed around it." He explained to the dumbfounded group of friends.
"Argh I'm going to kill that lousy brother of mine!" Lazuli shouted out but instantly recoiled in pain as she disturbed her injuries.
"Not if I get my hands on him first!" Launch was becoming increasingly angry, surveying the damaged friends around the room. A realisation crept over her, as the rage for Lazuli's brother dissipated, the weight of responsibility began to fall on her. She decided to sit with the feeling, knowing that she needed to acknowledge it, rather than to continue to deflect its burden anymore.
"You know, you really are Chi-Chi's guardian angel and a handsome one too!" Bulma practically squealed out. Leaving an awkward Goku to blush and place his hand nervously on the back of his neck. While Chi-Chi tried to silence her friends with her glares. Thankfully, the chatter resumed and the tension passed.
Moving from the wall closest to the door, Goku offered a friendly smile to the group as he announced, "I'm sorry ladies but it's time for me to go, I've still got to get changed out of my climbing gear." He said, not realising the effect he was having on the group of friends and the muted sighs they were all sharing in Chi-Chi's direction. After one last glance at his rescuee, he left the hospital room and the friends continued their conversation with a cacophony of laughter.
Talking to himself in the corridor outside the hospital room, "If you're ever in distress...although that's not likely, but need rescuing...ah she can take care of herself, maybe if-"
Appearing beside him and catching him off-guard, "I'd like to see you again too, but it doesn't have to be in such extreme circumstances", she trailed off with a chuckle.
He loved that sound and definitely wanted to hear more of it.
"I'm back on duty tonight, but I'd like to have a late lunch with you. Do you like picnics?"
She looked down at her casted broken ankle, "Erm...I don't know if that's going to be a practical option..."
"No worries, I can carry you like before."
"No you bloody well won't, that was hardly classy throwing me over your shoulder like that!" As she playfully slapped his arm.
"How about this then?" As he scooped her up, a shocked gasp escaped her lips, swiftly followed by that melodic laugh that he'd come to like. Chi-Chi found herself feeling wonderfully comfortable against his chest, as he carried her with an arm under her legs and another around her back. He smiled down at her as he walked out of the building and onto the peaceful hospital grounds. Seeing that they were alone, Chi-Chi pulled his head towards her whilst wrapping her arms around his neck, she met his lips with a light kiss, not wanting to scare away his gentle soul. She needn't have worried, as Goku found himself deepening the kiss, keen to embrace the woman that he'd shared so many of his personal things with already.
High above them and looking out of the hospital window, the remaining friends were whooping and cheering for their friend and her rescuer.
He wasn't sure how or even when it had happened, but what Goku felt with Chi-Chi was love. And in that moment she felt it too.
Somehow, every one of them had been rescued.